Iceland’s public broadcaster RÚV is wasting no time in starting its preparations for Eurovision 2024, confirming their participation and giving details for its national selection – Söngvakeppnin.
Searching for songs for Söngvakeppnin
RÚV’s confirmation of participation came through an article the broadcaster released regarding viewing figures for Eurovision 2023. In the article, the channel said they were already looking for entries to next year’s Söngvakeppnin. RÚV added that the submissions window for entries will open on Thursday, June 15th. It is not known for how long the submissions window will stay open.
It comes as Icelanders continue to watch Eurovision in high amounts. According to the article, an average of 60% of viewers in Iceland tuned into both the second semi-final and the final in Liverpool. The second semi-final saw Iceland’s Diljá participate and finish in 11th place. The final saw Iceland’s 2020 and 2021 entrant Daði Freyr return to perform “Whole Again” during the Liverpool Songbook. As well as this, the first semi-final garnered a 42% viewership.
Speaking ahead of the opening of the submissions window, Söngvakeppnin’s director Rúnar Freyr Gíslason said:
Our national selection, Söngvakeppnin, has grown and prospered every year and Eurovision is getting bigger and bigger. Music streaming has increased tremendously and serious authors and singers all over Europe are starting to look at participating in the competition as a preferred option to let the world hear their music.
Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, Director of Söngvakeppnin
Iceland’s Eurovision journey
Iceland made its debut on the Eurovision stage in 1986, finishing 16th with the song “Gleðibankinn” (Bank of Fun) by ICY. In their 35 appearances, Iceland has finished in top 10 an impressive 7 times. Their best result to date is second place, which they have achieved twice. The first time was in 1999, where Selma Björnsdóttir received 146 points for her performance of “All Out of Luck”. The second time was in 2009, with Yohanna singing “Is It True” and receiving 218 points.
Iceland’s most recent representative on the Eurovision stage was Diljá, singing “Power” in Liverpool. At the close of the voting, Diljá finished 11th in the semi-final with 44 points from the televote. This meant that Iceland missed out on qualifying for the final.
What do you think of the news from Iceland? What can RÚV do to bring Eurovision to Reykjavik? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we start gearing up for next year’s Contest!
News Source: RÚV
Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU
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